Leak capture and containment device

ABSTRACT

A device for capturing, containing, and transporting liquid from a leak. The device may include a tank that may include wheels for easy transportation. The tank may include an opening at the top with a funnel attached to direct the liquid into the tank. The device may further include an outlet connected to the bottom of the tank. A hose may connect to the outlet to direct the liquid from the tank to a different area.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/756,990, filed Jan. 25, 2013, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a leak capture and containment device and, more particularly, to a tank that may be placed below a leak to capture and remove leaking liquids.

Water or other liquids leaking from valves, pipes or from roof areas may happen quickly and often. The leaking liquid may cause damage to finished areas in occupied or unoccupied areas, such as offices, hospitals, homes or in other unwanted areas. Current devices used to contain leaking water are labor intensive and difficult to setup. The devices also make access to repairs difficult while in place causing additional damage. Further, the devices do not hold a significant amount of water and may require areas to fasten to, which may not be available or strong enough.

As can be seen, there is a need for an easy to use and mobile capture and containment device for leaks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a leak containing device comprises: a base comprising a top surface and a bottom surface; a liquid tank comprising a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion of the liquid tank is adjacent to the top surface of the base; a plurality of wheels attached to the bottom surface of the base; an intake portion comprising an opening near the top portion of the liquid tank; a funnel attached to the intake portion, wherein the funnel and the intake portion lead into the liquid tank.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a section view of the present invention, taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a side view of the present invention, illustrating an insertion extender.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a device for capturing, containing, and transporting liquid from a leak. The device may include a tank that may include wheels for easy transportation. The tank may include an opening at the top with a funnel attached to direct the liquid into the tank. The device may further include an outlet connected to the bottom of the tank. A hose may connect to the outlet to direct the liquid from the tank to a different area.

The present invention may include a portable water holding tank. In certain embodiments, the portable water holding tank may include wheels so that it may be very easily and quickly placed under a leak to catch, store, and evacuate water from unwanted or occupied areas. When a leak occurs in a business, it is important to minimize the damage of the surrounding area. The present invention may be put in place to capture the leak quickly and with less effort than most devices used for the same purpose. The present invention is easily portable, and assembly is not required which greatly reduces set up time and therefore minimizes damage. The present invention may also be easily moved with the liquid captured within.

The present invention may include a liquid tank 24. The tank 24 may include a top portion, a bottom portion, and a rounded sidewall. The tank 24 may secure a liquid, such as water. The present invention may further include a base 38. The base 38 may be part of the liquid tank 24 or a separate component. The base 38 may include a top surface and a bottom surface. In certain embodiments, the bottom surface may include a plurality of wheels 40. The wheels 40 may include four casters. The bottom portion of the liquid tank 24 may be adjacent to the top surface of the base 38. Therefore, the tank 24 may either be attached to or rest on the base 38 and the liquid tank 24 may be moved around using the wheels 40.

The present invention may further include an intake portion. The intake portion may be located near the top portion of the tank 24 and may include an opening into the inside of the liquid tank 24. In certain embodiments, a funnel 10 may be attached to the intake portion, and may lead into the intake portion and into the liquid tank 24. In certain embodiments, the intake portion may include a lid 14 that is removably attachable to the top portion of the liquid tank 24. The lid 14 may include a lid stem 16. The funnel 10 may include a funnel stem 12 may be fit within and may be removably 10 attachable to the lid stem 16. The lid 14 may be secured to the top portion of the tank 14 by any securing device, such as latches 22 that are releasably attachable to latch strikes 20. In certain embodiments, the lid 14 may further include handles 18 for grasping and holding the device.

In certain embodiments, the present invention may further include an outlet near the bottom portion of the tank 24. The outlet may include a valve that may be opened and closed to drain the liquid from the inside of the tank 24. In certain embodiments, the outlet may include a hose bib 28, 30. The hose bib 28, 30 may include a small hose bib 28 and a large hose bib 30. In certain embodiments, the hose bib 28, 30 may include a reducer 32 which may reduce the hose bib 28 to a reduced size. A hose 42 may be attached to the hose bibs 28, 30 so that the liquid may be drained in another location. The different size hoses may purge the tank 24 to different flow rates, depending on the flow of leak, to a different location. In certain embodiments, the present invention may further include a hose hanger 26 attached to the tank 24 to conveniently secure the hose 42.

The present invention may further include a debris screen 34. The debris screen 34 may be on the inside of the liquid tank 24. The debris screen 34 may divide an upper portion of the tank 24 and a lower portion of the tank 24. In certain embodiments, the debris screen 34 may be suspended within the tank 24 on a ledge 36 that may protrude from an inner wall of the liquid tank 24. The debris screen 34 may be used to collect debris from the liquid that is flowing into the tank 24. This may prevent the outlets from becoming clogged. The debris screen 34 may be removable for cleaning.

In certain embodiments, the present invention may include a funnel stem extender 44. The funnel stem extender 44 may be a tubular device that extends the lid stem 16 of the present invention. The funnel stem extender 44 may include a bottom end and a top end. The bottom end of the funnel stem extender 44 may be releasably attachable to the lid stem 16. The top end of the funnel stem extender 44 may be releasably attachable to the funnel 10. Therefore, a user may attach the funnel stem extender 44 to the device to extend the height of the funnel 10 and therefore further prevent splashing of the liquid entering the tank 24.

The present invention may be a portable water tight holding tank 24 on wheels 40 that may catch and store gallons of liquid. The present invention may be easily rolled into the problem area. When placed below a leak, the funnel 10 located on top of the tank 24 may direct the liquid, such as water, into the holding tank 24. The holding tank 24 may either store the leaking water or may be equipped to evacuate the water. The valve and outlet located at bottom of tank 24 may be used by attaching a hose so that the water may be evacuated to a designated location. The interior debris screen 34 may prevent the valves from clogging. Using the present invention, the liquid may be easily removed from the problem area.

In certain embodiments, the present invention may be made of a light weight non corrosive type material, such as a polymer. For example, the present invention may be made of plastics, such as polyvinyl chloride. In alternative embodiments, the present invention may be used to drain liquid from pipes in a mechanical system in a finished or occupied space, such as in hospitals, commercial type office buildings, or buildings under construction during testing.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A leak containing device comprising: a base comprising a top surface and a bottom surface; a liquid tank comprising a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion of the liquid tank is adjacent to the top surface of the base; a plurality of wheels attached to the bottom surface of the base; an intake portion comprising an opening near the top portion of the liquid tank; a funnel attached to the intake portion, wherein the funnel and the intake portion lead into the liquid tank.
 2. The leak containing device of claim 1, wherein the intake portion comprises a lid removably attachable to the top portion of the liquid tank, wherein the lid comprises a lid stem, and wherein the funnel is removably attachable to the lid stem.
 3. The leak containing device of claim 2, further comprising handles attached to the lid.
 4. The leak containing device of claim 2, further comprising a funnel stem extender comprising a top end and a bottom end, wherein the bottom end is removably attachable to the lid stem and the funnel is removably attachable to the top end of the funnel stem extender.
 5. The leak containing device of claim 1, further comprising an outlet near the bottom portion of the liquid tank.
 6. The leak containing device of claim 5, wherein the outlet comprises a hose bib.
 7. The leak containing device of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of different sized hose bibs attached near the bottom portion of the liquid tank.
 8. The leak containing device of claim 6, further comprising a hose hanger attached to the device.
 9. The leak containing device of claim 1, further comprising a debris screen within the liquid tank, wherein the debris screen separates an inside of the liquid tank into an upper portion and a lower portion.
 10. The leak containing device of claim 9, wherein the debris screen is supported by a ledge protruding from an inner wall of the liquid tank. 